Voter Suppression: It’s Mobilization Time

Educate, Organize and Mobilize: Since November of 2013 I’ve been writing about voter suppression and an appropriate response that needs to be made by those threatened by wide-spread, aggressive voter suppression. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to create an archive of information that will enable interested readers to become conversant with these issues, the organizing around them and the avenues available to become a part of the response. With November only a few months away, “it’s mobilization time.” With this article we will start detailing the ingredients of a revisable action plan that needs comments and revisions as we move toward the Tuesday, November 4, 2014 General Election.

Mark your calendar. I think the most important decision to be made today is the decision to be actively involved between now and November 4 and to set aside as much time as possible to help out on Election Day.Hopefully, those that value our most precious civil right, the right to vote, will voluntarily join organizations, candidates and individuals of their own choosing to help do outreach to eligible voters that have not made a decision to get involved. The two major non-partisan organizations in North Carolina that I suggest working with going toward November are the NC NAACP and Democracy NC.

It will also be helpful if members of churches, community and statewide organizations would encourage their churches and organizations to follow the suggestions to individuals made herein.

All candidates, elected officials and others that believe in and benefit from segments of our population that have been targeted for voter suppression owe it to those eligible voters to become actively involved in helping to educate, organize and mobilize for a massive November turn-out. Of course, I continue to recommend my weekly commentaries and Facebook page at www.facebook.com/votersuppression for educational and organizational content on voter suppression.

There are numerous ways to volunteer in our electoral process. You may want to volunteer to help a party or candidate by joining a voter registration drive in your community or church. Voter registration drives are non-partisan activities. You may want to join a candidate’s campaign and knock on doors to introduce him or her to neighbors or friends. Many election volunteers work phone banks by calling from voter lists to remind and encourage eligible voters to come out to vote, answer questions about voting laws and by confirming precinct locations and voting hours.

Many volunteers write letters to editors expressing their views of issues or candidates. Many deliver educational materials highlighting election issues and the mechanics of voting. Personally, I think that everyone should write their local press and express their opposition to attacks on citizens’ right to vote. There is always a need for people to voluntarily appear before church congregations and community groups to address and explain the issues that are discussed herein.

Again, I think that one of the most important tasks for volunteers is to work on Election Day. The Voter Suppression Act made many changes to election laws and has created a lot of confusion about the voting process. One major change was to end straight ticket voting which has historically been very important in our neighborhoods. This change calls for much more support on Election Day than has been historically necessary.

We trust some of the ideas herein will help our readers better understand how to get involved in a way that they are comfortable. We also need to hear your ideas and suggestions. Our communities are under attack and we need a massive response, lest we return to “the era of poll taxes and Jim Crow.”

Lastly, please remember to support the efforts of Greater Diversity News in our Campaign to Defeat Voter Suppression. We have the same financial needs for staff and resources as candidates, parties and other interest groups. Our only sources of revenue are subscriptions and advertising. To that end, I encourage you to subscribe to our publication, ask your elected officials to subscribe and ask them to ensure that their public bodies use Greater Diversity News to advertise their jobs and business opportunities that solicit minority employees and companies.

GDN covers news that is vital to unrepresented and underserved communities. We need your financial support to help us remain viable.

Peter Grear writes commentaries for Greater Diversity News with a primary focus on voter suppression. To join the Campaign to Defeat Voter Suppression please “Like” and follow us at www.facebook.com/votersuppression, “Share” our articles and your comments on Facebook or at our website www.GreaterDiversity.com. Also, to promote the Campaign to Defeat Voter Suppression, please ask all of your Facebook “Friends” to follow the above-referenced recommendations. Additionally, please follow us on Twitter at: @yourrighttovote and #defeatvotersuppression.

GDN covers news that is vital to unrepresented and underserved communities we need your financial support to help us remain viable.